Introduction

1. A repeated refrain in the letters to the seven churches in the book of Revelation: “to the one who overcomes” 

2. We are called to live an overcoming life — and we all want to. No one wants to walk in defeat. 

3. What would it take for us to live an overcoming life? Two keys: 

1. They were a diligent and disciplined church, standing firm in a hostile spiritual climate.

2. Surprisingly they were reprimanded: somehow their hard work had become hollow, because they had forsaken the right motivation: love!

3. Let’s ask ourselves this searching question: are we labouring but loveless? 

4. The Lord’s antidote for us: return to My love (2:5).

B. BUILD ON THE TRUE FOUNDATION (learn from Laodicea, the successful but self-deceived church, Rev 3:14-22)

1. Jesus scolds them straightaway, because of their lukewarmness. “Lukewarm” does not mean 50% spiritually alive — but is about being distasteful to God. 

2. Why? Because in their success they were self-deceived and utterly self-reliant.

3. Success can also blind us when it becomes the foundation of our security and identity. It is a false and faulty foundation. 

4. The Lord’s antidote for us: return to true riches and vision (3:18). 

5. He won’t barge in and force us to accept it, even though He is the King, but offers a gentle invitation (3:20).

Conclusion

1. The biblical secret to living an overcoming life: “The battle beyond us cannot be won until the battle within us is surrendered.”  

2. Will we follow the lead of our overcoming King, and walk in His victory and peace? 

 
Sunday Worship Songs at cefc.ch/sws
Next Week’s Topic: God hears your cry (Ps 130, Mark 10:47, Isa 30:18)
Next Week’s Speaker(s): Rev Edmund Wong (BPJ), Rev Dr Chua Chung Kai (WDL) & Rev Matthew Lo (East)